Summer Camp 2024

Preschool Nature Camp offers  full-day of outdoor play and exploration to 3 to 5 years old campers in our Education Barn at 255 Sherman Hollow Road. Our time is filled with stories, nature walks, puppet shows, games, and full-sensory immersion in the natural world. 

Summer camp 2024 registration will open Mid-February and will be different this year.

• We are moving to a lottery. Families will apply to the camps in which they are interested.  

• You will have between February 15 and March 3 to apply for camps. You can apply any time during this window. You will apply for each camp in which you are interested, for each camper.  

• Families will be notified of their acceptance into camp on March 8 and will have until March 21st at 11:59pm to secure their camp spot by paying either the deposit (30% tuition) or paying in full. Unclaimed spaces go to families on the waitlist starting March 22nd.  

• Camp balances must be paid down by April 21st or families forfeit their spot and deposit. If you need more time to pay, please call our office to set up a payment plan. Unpaid camps go to campers on the waitlist.

• Campers will be selected for no more than 2 camps.

Looking for camps for someone older? View Ecology Day Camp here.

Enter the lottery here: http://app.campdoc.com/register/audubon

On this page for Preschool Camp:

• Camp Structure
• 2024 Camp Calendar + Program Descriptions
• Camp Details ( + typical day and cancellation)

Looking for more information? View our Summer Camp Information Guide.

Preschool Nature Camp Structure

Half Day: campers join us from 9pm-12pm. They will enjoy a morning full of adventure, a snack, and be picked up right before lunch. To register for half-day camp, select the week of camp you want and apply the half-day coupon code below to adjust the price. 
Full Day: campers join us from 9am-4pm. We take a 1 hour hibernation break at noon when our half-day friends leave to sit in the shade, eat lunch, and take advantage of quiet activities.

2024 Preschool Camp Calendar

For Preschool Day Camps you have the option to register for a Half Day (9am-12pm) or Full Day (9am-4pm). 

Members, save 5% at registration by entering TERN24 at checkout!

Camp sessions fill up quickly.  Sign Up for email updates to learn about other Audubon education opportunities and to receive Summer Camp updates.

​We have scholarships available. You will be able to apply for scholarships when you apply for the camp lottery. It is now 1 application! Please contact us if you have questions.

Preschool Camp Details

• Campers must be potty trained by their first day of camp
• A gear list will be emailed to the email address we have on file. 
• A note on age. If your child is 6 but has not yet entered Kindergarten and you don't think they are ready for ecology camp, you are welcome to sign-up for preschool nature camp. Likewise, if your 5 year old has been to Audubon camp before and is ready to move up to Ecology Camp we have a week just for campers aged 6-8 that might be a good fit. Speak to either our Summer Camp Director or Assistant Director for more information and to make these changes in registration.
• As of Summer Camp 2022: 
  • Audubon requires all campers and camp staff to have completed the age-appropriate vaccine schedule recommended by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and to submit proof in the form of a current immunization record prior to participating in any camp activity https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/vaccines-age.html
  • Anyone with a medical exemption to immunization must submit documentation sufficiently in advance of the camp start date from a Physician (MD or DO) or a Pediatric/Family Practice Advanced Practice Nurse (ARNP or PNP) that describes the reason for the exemption. Vermont also recognizes religious exemptions. Exemption forms can be uploaded to CampDoc under "immunizations".

What does a typical day at camp look like?

Our camp week will be filled with games, crafts, stories, songs, puppet shows, and lots of exploration and play. Our daily schedule goes something like this: 

8:15-9:00-- Optional Pre-Care available. You must register in advance.
9:00 – Sign-in and playtime outside the Education Barn (with crafts, coloring, books and toys)
9:15 – Opening circle and game
9:30 – Introduction to the day (morning meeting, welcome song/game, puppet show or story)
10:00 – Snack then Morning adventure: We might build fairy houses in Hemlock Swamp, follow a gnome trail to a magical part of the forest, or gather materials to make fairy crowns.  It’s different every day!
Noon – Lunch time for our full-day campers and pick up for our half day campers
12:30 – Hibernation. Our time to take a break and rest our bodies with quiet activities in the shade.
1:00 – Game and afternoon adventure. 
2:00 – Afternoon snack and story time
3:45 – Closing circle back at Education Barn
4:00 – Pick-up time. 

Cancellation Policy

• If Audubon cancels a camp we will provide full refunds of payment or you will have the opportunity to donate your funds to Audubon Vermont.
• If you need to cancel, please submit a cancellation request through CampDoc. We will refund you as follows:

  • Cancellations made by 4/21/2024 will be refunded payments above the non-refundable deposit.

  • Cancellations made at least 4 weeks before program start date will be refunded 50% of the tuition fee.
  • Cancellations made at least 2 weeks before a program start date will be refunded 30% of the tuition fee.
  • Cancellations made less than 2 weeks before a program start date will be refunded 10% of the tuition fee.
  • Because waitlist spots often come available at the last minute, we ask that families who take these spots commit to coming. After 24 hours of accepting the space, payment is expected, after which point you will be held to the cancellation policy above, regardless of when you accepted the camp space.
• Please call Debbie Archer (802-434-3068x13) to discuss refunds and cancellations in the case of severe illness, injury, or family emergency.